Humanities is an interesting batch of disciplines, as it studies what seems obvious – people themselves and what they create. However, it appears that both subjects are complex, and there is no definite way to interpret them. The sheer variety of art expressions shows not only how talented the creators are but also reflects humanity’s desire for self-expression and perception. As a human being, I am not exempt from the bond with art. In this essay, I would like to discuss the most impactful work of art I encountered during the class, focus on its implications for my career, and reflect on the humanities in general.
The work of art I have selected is a poem by Sylvia Plath. It is titled “Paralytic,” and it was written in 1963, the same year when she committed suicide. The poem seems to reflect her real-life struggles, as she had mental health problems and received shock therapy (Feirstein, 2016). The feeling of being paralyzed could be an aftermath of such treatment. The period when the poem was written, the 1960s, appears to have been fruitful for the counterculture movement, and mental illnesses were glamorized (Mettler, 2015). Perhaps, Plath was both a victim and an icon of those tumultuous times, along with other young famous people who died prematurely.
I suppose the poem spoke to me as a future nurse first. There is a high probability of me encountering a paralyzed patient, and while I could be equipped professionally, there is also mental readiness. “Paralytic” presents the thoughts of a person who may be unable to speak, and it is a valuable perspective. The poem teaches compassion, which is vital for a nurse and any person regardless of their profession. It also shows a palette of various feelings one experiences while being paralyzed. I can detect confusion, anger, and other emotions that will only become more intense if the necessary steps are not followed. Therefore, the poem is meaningful for me as a future professional, as someone who could be in the same situation, and as a person who appreciates poetry, because “Paralytic” is written beautifully and evokes strong feelings.
Art disciplines accompany people throughout their lives, and there is a choice between giving them a cursory glance and engaging with them earnestly. I chose the latter, and, admittedly, it did change me. Out of all disciplines, I would outline literature and music, although other art forms are also influential to me. As an avid reader, I use books as reference points, especially when human relationships are concerned. Literature anticipated various types of people I would meet and taught me how to interact with them. As for music, I cannot stress its significance in my life enough. Apart from their purely aesthetic value, songs by foreign artists allowed me to come in contact with other cultures and appreciate their language. I also made many acquaintances through music, and I cherish those relationships. Overall, I own a big part of who I am as a person to art, and I appreciate all the experience it shaped.
At first, I was skeptical about whether I needed the class humanities. However, my perspective is different now, and I believe it is quite beneficial. The class allowed me to obtain a full picture of art disciplines and their connection. I gained an appreciation for drama and some forms of visual arts that I used to find boring. I doubt I can apply the new knowledge directly to my career, but I can use art products as references and means to distract myself after a difficult day. Altogether, this class was helpful and provided a new outlook for me.
In conclusion, I started from Sylvia Plath’s poem and, perhaps, finished with it, as it is one of those things that will remain with me for the rest of my personal and professional life. In the end, I will consume more poetry and prose, and they will enrich my experience. It is a very human thing, and it is wonderful that humanities teach people to value art.
References
Feirstein, F. (2016). A psychoanalytic study of Sylvia Plath. The Psychoanalytic Review, 103(1), 103–126.
Mettler, M. W. (2015). “If I Could Drive You Out of Your Mind”: Anti-rationalism and the celebration of madness in 1960s counterculture. Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 9(2), 171-187.